Jose Reyes has $96 million remaining on his contract. / Steve Mitchell, US Presswire

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

by Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY Sports

Commissioner Bud Selig vows to be vigilant. But when it comes to the 12-player trade between the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays, that's the extent of his action.

The commissioner's office issued a release today granting approval to the controversial trade, which has evoked an outcry in Miami because it's seen as a salary dump.

Selig said he ran the transaction by baseball operations and labor relations departments, as well as veteran baseball executives, before giving his blessing.

The Marlins are sending four players with All-Star credentials â?? shortstop Jose Reyes, catcher John Buck and pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle â?? along with utilityman Emilio Bonifacio and cash to Toronto. In exchange, Miami is receiving shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, right-hander Henderson Alvarez, catcher Jeff Mathis and three prospects: pitchers Justin Nicolino and Anthony Desclafani, as well as outfielder Jake Marisnick.

The players Miami dealt made nearly $38 million in combined salary last season, while the ones the team is receiving made less than $8.75 million.

"After a thorough examination of this information, it is my conclusion that this transaction, involving established Major Leaguers and highly regarded young players and prospects, represents the exercise of plausible baseball judgment on the part of both Clubs, does not violate any express rule of Major League Baseball and does not otherwise warrant the exercise of any of my powers to prevent its completion,'' Selig said in the statement.

Although the Marlins have long been known as shrewd evaluators of young talent in making trades â?? that's how they acquired future standouts like Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco â?? they also have a history of fire sales that goes back to the year after their first World Series title in 1997.

That has created a strong sense of distrust of the team's ownership in the Miami community, which nonetheless paid for two-thirds of the cost of a $634 million stadium that opened last season.

The Marlins spent $190 million in bolstering the club in the offseason, but when it finished last in the NL East, owner Jeffrey Loria fired manager Ozzie Guillen a year into his four-year deal and dismantled the Marlins yet again. Going back to July, Miami have gotten rid of $242 million in salary commitments.

Selig said he's mindful of the Marlins fans' concerns.

"I fully understand that the Miami community has done its part to put the Marlins into a position to succeed with beautiful new Marlins Park,'' Selig said. "Going forward, I will continue to monitor this situation with the expectation that the Marlins will take into account the sentiments of their fans, who deserve the best efforts and considered judgment of their Club.''